Victor Wembanyama’s remarkable rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs has come to a close. The Spurs, a top contender for Rookie of the Year, confirmed that their star player would sit out Sunday’s season finale against the Detroit Pistons.
This decision follows the Spurs’ choice to rest Wembanyama during their recent 127-89 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, allowing the young player to recover from his right ankle injury. Notably, the Spurs have struggled without Wembanyama this season, with a record of 2-8 in games where he didn’t play.
The announcement came after Wembanyama’s standout performance in a thrilling 121-120 victory over the Denver Nuggets. In this game, he notched an impressive 34 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
Victor Wembanyama Believes That Spurs Are in a Rebuilding Phase
Across 71 games, Wembanyama, the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has averaged a remarkable 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game, as per the NBA website.
Starting the season with a 21-60 record, tying with Portland for the lowest in the Western Conference, the Spurs heavily relied on Wembanyama’s talents throughout the year.
Wembanyama capped off the season with a memorable moment, spiking the ball as time expired after the Spurs made a stunning comeback from a 23-point deficit to defeat the Nuggets.
Reflecting on the victory, Wembanyama emphasized its significance for the growing and young Spurs team: “As a growing team, a young team, it’s big for us. We’re going to need these kind of wins in the future. We’re going to need a win. But big-time wins against big teams, first seeds, we’re going to need those in the future.”
Notably, Wembanyama achieved a rare feat this season, becoming the first player to finish with at least 1,500 points, 250 assists, and 250 blocked shots. This puts him in an elite group alongside NBA legends David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, marking an exceptional start to his career.
While Wembanyama will sit out for the remainder of the Spurs’ season, fans will likely catch a moment of him in action sooner than later. The young star is anticipated to represent France at the upcoming summer Olympics in Paris, showcasing his talents on an international stage.